Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-07-08

During this period of his public service he
served on the committee on elections as
chairman of the committee on the revision
of the United States laws-of which great
task he had the chief charge-as chairman
of the committee on unfinished business, AS
chairman of the select committee on the
Credit Mobilier and chairman of the spe-
cial committee on the affairs of Arkansas
He made speeches on reconstruction on
Louisiana affairs on the Ku Klux; on
the Credit Mobilier and on the Geneva
Award which attracted wide attention
during that critical period, as wise, states
manlike and patriotic utterances. He
added to his national fame by his report
on the case of Arkansas. and by the speech
made by him in support thereof in March,
1875. He was a candidate for reelection
to the 44th Congress in the fall of 1874,
but was defeated by Dudley G. Denison
He then resumedIthe practice of his profess
sion, being engaged in many of the heaviest
railroad and other cases, and in his duties
as president of the First National bank of
st. .Johnsbury, which office he held for
twenty-five years.
| In 1878 he was elected to the State Leg
islature as representative of the town of
st. Johnsbury, and was the acknowledged
leader on the floor of the House In 1882
he was elected to the 4Sth Congress,
in triangular contest, over Fletcher,
democrat and Grout republican. In
this Congress he served again on the
judiciary committee. He declined re-
nomination to Congress and again retired
to private life, In 1856, however, he again
accepted an election to the Legislature as
representative of the town of Watervlle,
and was connected with almost all of the
most important legislation of that ses-
sion. This was his last service as a legis-
lator. He was prominent in the organiza-
ton of the National Bar association in 1878
and held thereafter the craftsmanship of
the general council and executive com
mittee of that association. He was
elected Il trustee OF the University
of Vermont and State Agricultural col
lege in 1873, and reelected in 1884,
In that capacity he rendered faithful
and able service to the University and to
the State. He founded scholarship, in
the University for the benefit of his na-
tive town of Westford took strong and
genuine interest in the welfare of the
INSTITUTION ana MS uedtn Is a serious loss
to his brother trustees and to the Univer-
sity. He received the degree of Doctor of
Laws from the University in 1861.
The career thus briefly sketched was
one of large and varied trusts, fulfilled
with great ability, industry and fidelity.
AS lawyer, jurist, State and national leg
islator, tjnancier, and friend of education
Judge Poland was truly and justly emin-
ent. He was an earnest republican from
the formation of the republican party, but
he was not a machine politician. He was
a good conversationalist, with quick
sense of humor. y man Of striking per-
sonal appearance and marked dignity, he
yet nnbended with ease, and was genial
in social intercourse. He will be missed
and mourned by a very wide circle of
personal friends and acquaintance.
In 1850 Judge Poland removed from Nor
risville to st. Johnsbury, which town was
/ thereafter his home, till, two or three years
ago, he purchased the house and farm
once owned by his father in Waterville,
and removed his residence thither. He
leaves widow and daughter, who will
have the sincere sympathy of many
| friends.